My Africa

Eventually it had to happen.  I had to leave my beloved South Sudan.  At the time of my departure (I can’t believe it was a year ago!!!!) I wasn’t able to write a post about leaving.  The following poem is my “goodbye”.

Africa

1 billion people, 11.5 million mi² of land, 58 countries

Countless cultures

Jammed together into a single word

What do people think?  What do they see?

Hunger

Skin and bones, distended stomachs

Violence

Machete-wielding warlords and child soldiers

Disease

Mosquitos killing people, AIDS-ridden children, Ebola Ebola Ebola

Sub-humanity

Mud huts, voodoo magic, tribal ridiculousness

                Savages

Uneducated people, uncivilized lives, undeveloped societies

My Africa

600 students, a few thousand villagers, a couple acres of land, 1 brand-new country

2 cultures – mine and theirs

Melded together like peanut butter and jelly

What do I think?  What do I see?

 

Simplicity

Children thrilled with tires and sticks for toys

            Hospitality

Feeding visitors a 3-course meal while they go hungry themselves

Work ethic

All day every day in their fields/at home/at school

             Family

Everywhere you look, yours = mine = ours

Culture

Rich experiences, National Geographic made real

                Community

The entire village sprinting to someone's home upon news of a death,
“It takes a village to raise a child”

                Sacrifice

A kid quits school so his little brother can afford an education,
kids sharing everything

Faith

Songs about Jesus, accepting God’s will, purity of heart, an example to us all

Forgiveness

A child’s hug after an unfair punishment, a friend saying “let’s start over”

Kindness

Little boys 'stealing' my shoes only to return them spotlessly clean

                Hope

A teenage boy who’d rather pray with me than play with friends

                Compassion

A 6yr-old’s loving embrace when her teacher sobs about having to leave

                Communication

Language rendered meaningless, speaking with the heart,

Two separate worlds collide under the influence of a simple smile

                Progress

The whole school coming to support the girls’ football team instead of “keeping them in their place”, girls having the opportunity to enjoy themselves and build each other up, kids slowly realizing that they too matter

                Pride

Children professing Mary as their role model, crowds gathering for rosary each night

                Humility

Standing in the presence of a real angel, giving up oneself for God,
The last shall be first

                Peace

Silence during adoration, never feeling homesick, sunrises and sunsets, 

God’s hand upon my shoulder

                Patience

People kindly educating an outsider’s ignorance

                Joy

Children sprinting towards me, endless laughter, cross-cultural games, common sports, kung fu, mud fights, dancing dancing dancing

                Challenges

Physical/mental/spiritual, pushed far beyond my limits

                Strength

Everyone fighting the same battle against the devil
                Happiness

For the first time in a lifetime, not having any doubts

Love, Love, Love

Every moment of every day

40,435,200 seconds of ‘agape’

What it was all about

                 Dear Africa

My heart pounded your name before I knew you, and I’ve loved you more every day since we met.  You are my soulmate, my best friend, my mother, and my child.  I will never forget you.  Please don’t forget me.

T.I.S.S: This Is South Sudan